Ms Maxwell wrote to Acting Premier James Merlino on June 16 to put forward the case for rolling out a COVID-19 risk management ‘traffic light system’ in Victoria - similar to one used in NSW.
“I’ve also circulated the proposal to mayors across northern Victoria and I’m encouraged by the upshot,” Ms Maxwell said.
“Here’s a workable solution that we first put to the government in August and reiterated publicly in parliament in September, last year.
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“The government, in response to the Sydney COVID outbreak in January, subsequently set up the Victorian Travel Permit System that used public health advice to define levels of COVID risk in NSW local government areas.
“High-risk zones were designated red, at-risk zones orange, and low or no-risk zones green.
“People from red and orange zones wanting to enter Victoria were subject to travel, activity and stay-at-home restrictions and testing requirements, while people from green zones could carry on with their daily lives and come here simply by completing a declaration permit.
“It’s a system the government continues to use for all travellers from interstate.
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“This week . . . I have again asked the government to adapt this system for use throughout Victoria in conjunction with robust trace management and testing.
“This would deliver for our communities an ‘easy-to-understand traffic light system’, as Premier Dan Andrews described it in a media statement on January 11 during the Sydney outbreak.
“It would also enable the ‘places-without-cases’ communities that we represent to get on with recovery and rebuilding after our fourth statewide lockdown.”
Ms Maxwell said the Justice Party wanted the proposal considered as a key part of a detailed, long-term plan for COVID-19 management in Victoria.
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“Since September we’ve openly said the government must also consult widely so Victorians can deal responsibly with COVID,” she said.
“I hear from (my) communities every day about the devastating financial, psychological and social impacts of impromptu lockdowns, particularly in places where there’s no, or low, transmission risk.
“All parliamentarians should be actively encouraged to contribute to this plan for public recovery – one that at its heart is directed at restoring Victorians’ livelihoods, certainty and confidence.”
Mr Merlino's office has been contacted for comment.
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